Paul I. Sheaffer Insurance Agency | Pennsylvania | Auto Home Commercial Insurancehttps://www.sheafferins.com
Excellent Auto, Home and Commercial Insurance. Free Quotes, Great Rates, Discounts, and Policy Bundles plus many Insurance Companies to choose from. Click or Call (717) 768-8236.Mon, 07 Jan 2019 17:39:30 +0000en-UShourly1Uninsured and Underinsured Motoristshttps://www.sheafferins.com/uninsured-and-underinsured-motorists/
Mon, 07 Jan 2019 17:37:46 +0000https://www.sheafferins.com/?p=47490Unfortunately, many people wrongly assume that auto and umbrella insurance policies will provide reimbursement for all aspects of an accident on the road. Instead, both of these policies cover your own liability and provide compensation to others in the event that you are responsible for an accident. However, if another driver causes an accident and doesn’t have enough insurance coverage to compensate you, your own auto or umbrella policies may not be enough.

If another driver doesn’t have enough insurance coverage to pay for your medical bills, you could face extremely high costs or lengthy court battles. However, by purchasing stand-alone uninsured (UM) or underinsured (UIM) motorist coverage, or by adding the coverage as an endorsement to your umbrella policy, you can be fully protected on the road.

Why Isn’t There Coverage?

Auto insurance is required in most states because all drivers on the road essentially put their trust in one another to not get into an accident. As a result, your regular auto insurance policy will reimburse another driver if you are the cause of an accident. In a similar way, umbrella policies provide you with excess coverage for a number of different personal liabilities.

However, if another driver doesn’t have enough coverage to fully pay for the damage of an accident, you could be left to pay the bills yourself.

Uninsured motorists simply don’t purchase an auto insurance policy. As a result, if they cause an accident, there isn’t a policy in place to reimburse you for medical bills. According to the Insurance Research Council, approximately 1 in 7 drivers in the United States are completely uninsured.

Underinsured motorists have an insurance policy, but don’t have a high enough coverage limit to pay for all of the expenses of an accident. Some states only require a small amount of coverage, which won’t be enough to pay all of your medical expenses.

To protect yourself from these risks, it’s important to contact us about a stand-alone policy or an endorsement to your umbrella coverage.

Coverage Specifics

Without UM or UIM coverage, you’re essentially paying more for the protection of strangers than you are for yourself and your family. And, although uninsured and underinsured drivers are all too common, many people believe that they’re already covered if someone else causes an accident.

UM or UIM policies are available, as are endorsements to umbrella policies that can protect you from uninsured or underinsured drivers. In fact, in many states, you may be required to purchase UM or UIM coverage. However, just like a normal auto policy, there are some aspects of this coverage that you should consider.

Depending on the state, you may only be required to purchase a small amount of UM or UIM coverage. However, since these policies will protect you and your family in the event of an accident, it’s generally a good idea to purchase the same amount of coverage as your regular auto policy. Coverage is also inexpensive.

]]>Latest Safety Features for New Car Shoppershttps://www.sheafferins.com/latest-safety-features-for-new-car-shoppers/
Mon, 07 Jan 2019 17:23:18 +0000https://www.sheafferins.com/?p=47488Vehicle technology seems to advance each year, as new features improve driver and passenger safety. The following are just a few driver-assist features to be aware of the next time you’re in the market for a new vehicle:

Adaptive cruise control: This type of cruise control automatically speeds or slows down your car based on the actions of the vehicles in front of you. This tool can help reduce the likelihood and severity of rear-end collisions.

Automatic braking: Automatic braking devices are designed to reduce the severity of high-speed collisions in the event of a lapse of driver attention. These devices can predict impending crashes and help combat distracted driving.

Blind-spot detection: Through the use of sensors, blind-spot detection systems sound an alarm in the event that an object is in your blind spot. These devices can help reduce accidents on the highway and are particularly useful for changing lanes.

If you purchase a vehicle with driver-assist features, it’s important to familiarize yourself with how they work. Doing so can help keep you safe on the road and allow you to get the most out of crash-prevention technology.

]]>The Independent Agent Advantagehttps://www.sheafferins.com/the-independent-agent-advantage/
Fri, 03 Aug 2018 17:32:01 +0000https://www.sheafferins.com/?p=47484What do I give up by not using a licensed independent agent to purchase insurance?

The disadvantage of not using a licensed agent to purchase insurance is that the policyholder does not receive as much, or often any, personal service. A licensed agent with whom there is direct contact can be vital when purchasing a product and absolutely necessary when filing a claim. Without an agent to act as your personal advocate during the claims process, you are left to take care of the details on your own. You may be unsure who to contact at the insurance company or who you can really trust to help you during the times in life when you need help the most. Without an agent you are on your own to absorb the frustration and expense of resolving your problems.

The disadvantage of not using a licensed independent agent to purchase insurance is that agents who only represent one insurance company can only offer insurance based on that one company’s policies and rate structures. As an independent agency we represent numerous insurance companies and are deeply familiar with the intricate differences between them. Therefore we are able to match your needs with the best company to meet those needs and your budget without having to sacrifice coverage in order to find affordability.

What’s the risk in not using an agent?

Many insurance companies that can be called directly as a customer fail to tell you that the “call center personnel” who will take your information and issue the policy ARE NOT licensed to sell insurance, therefore lacking the professional knowledge to guide you toward an acceptable level of protection. These companies are conducting business using a loophole within the law which allows the company to have one license while everyone else works without it. Going this route can place your financial future at risk because unlicensed personnel are trained to simply sell you a policy without being aware of what “real” protection means.

For instance, imagine you own a $150,000 home and your auto insurance policy’s liability limits are $50,000. When you purchased the policy you were told this was plenty of protection considering your state’s minimum requirement for liability is $20,000. Yet if you have an accident and are sued for $200,000 your policy is only going to pay out $50k, leaving you responsible for the remaining $150k. Since your home would cover the difference, a court judgment could force you into selling your home as a way to settle the suit. If your policy’s liability limits had protected you at a minimum of $200,000, the policy would be paying for the total suit.

Because direct writers are typically located nowhere near where you live, many won’t hesitate to sell you a policy with low liability limits as a way to simply make the policy cheaper while convincing you to buy it. Leaving you extremely vulnerable to financial disaster.

Looking for an agent with your best interests at heart? That’s exactly why we’re here.

]]>Lightning and Summer Stormshttps://www.sheafferins.com/lightning-and-summer-storms/
Fri, 03 Aug 2018 17:05:32 +0000https://www.sheafferins.com/?p=47482Lightning storms are incredibly dangerous and more deadly than tornadoes, floods and hurricanes. When a storm is on the verge of striking your area, you need to know the steps to take in order to protect your family and home.

Use these tips to stay safe during a lightning storm:

Seek shelter in an enclosed building, if possible.

If you are in a car, stay inside and keep the windows securely rolled up.

Do not use a small shed, pavilion or lean-to as shelter—they do not provide enough protection.

Do not use a landline telephone during a storm. Instead, use a cellular or cordless phone that is not connected to the building’s wiring.

If you’re outside during a lightning storm, get as close to the ground as possible without placing your hands or knees on the ground.

Avoid seeking shelter near trees, metal fences, pipes or tall and long objects.

If you are swimming, boating or fishing, seek shelter on land immediately.

If someone you know is struck by lightning, contact emergency personnel immediately. A lightning strike can cause the heart to stop and a person to stop breathing.

If you have the proper medical training, administer CPR to victims who do not have a pulse and treat conscious victims for burns, fractures and other wounds.

]]>Quick Tips for Safe RV Usagehttps://www.sheafferins.com/quick-tips-for-safe-rv-usage/
Fri, 03 Aug 2018 16:55:18 +0000https://www.sheafferins.com/?p=47480Recreational vehicles (RVs) can be a fun way to see the country and spend time with your family. However, because they’re bigger and heavier than an average car, there are additional hazards that come with owning and operating an RV.

Know the height of your RV and pay close attention to overhangs and clearance heights.

Watch your speed, especially at night and during dusk.

Slow down on blind curve areas of the roadway.

Use your high beams at night to see animals and other obstructions.

Always wear a seat belt.

]]>Is Gap Coverage Right for You?https://www.sheafferins.com/is-gap-coverage-right-for-you/
Wed, 09 May 2018 18:40:44 +0000http://www.sheafferins.com/?p=47460Guaranteed asset protection, or gap insurance is an optional automobile coverage that helps you transfer the financial risk if you are involved in an auto accident and you owe more for your vehicle than the amount that it’s worth. This is referred to as being “upside-down.”

Since a new car’s value drops significantly the minute it’s driven off the lot, if you are involved in an accident that totals your vehicle in the first few years you own your vehicle, you may find yourself owing the finance company more than the vehicle’s actual value. Gap insurance provides for the “gap” between the two amounts.

Is Gap Insurance for Everyone?

New vehicle financing options: If you took advantage of a zero percent down payment deal or put a small amount of money down, or stretched the life of your loan past 3 years, gap insurance is most likely a good idea. That’s because the vehicle typically depreciates considerably faster than you have actually paid down the vehicle’s loan.

Used vehicles: Gap insurance is typically not available for used vehicles. To cover your risk, it’s wise to put down an ample down payment and finance the vehicle for the shortest possible timeframe.

Leased vehicles: For those who lease a vehicle, gap insurance is considered an essential coverage because typically there is no trade-in and little cash put down to lease the vehicle. Similar to purchasing a vehicle, if the car is a total loss, you will owe the difference between what you have paid and what you owe on the balance of the lease.

Cost versus benefit: Gap insurance is offered for a nominal fee, which makes it a great value for anyone who finances or leases a new car.

We’re Here to Help

Depending on your vehicle’s make, model and loan terms, we can help you determine if gap insurance is the right choice for you. If you’re purchasing a new vehicle, contact us to learn about how gap insurance can complement your auto policy coverage options and keep you from getting caught upside-down!

]]>Making Sure You Have the Right Auto Coveragehttps://www.sheafferins.com/making-sure-you-have-the-right-auto-coverage/
Tue, 23 Jan 2018 17:07:39 +0000http://www.sheafferins.com/making-sure-you-have-the-right-auto-coverage/Dropping some of your coverage—like comprehensive or collision—to the lowest legal level can cut your premium, but it could also put you at serious risk.

An automobile insurance policy is designed to provide you with a level of protection against property, liability and medical costs if you are involved in an accident.

Selecting the correct liability limits is fundamental. 100/300/50 means you are covered for up to $100,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, $300,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident and $50,000 in property damage per accident.

Many states have minimum liability limits of 25/50/10, although some states are higher or lower than this. While it may lower your premium, reducing your liability limits to minimum legal levels and dropping underinsured motorists coverage could open you up to substantial risk.

Collison Insurance – Know the Value of Your Car

Your policy will not pay for repairs that exceed the value of your vehicle. For this reason, if you are driving a vehicle that isn’t worth more than a few thousand dollars, it may not make sense to purchase collision coverage. BHC Insurance can help you determine whether or not collision insurance makes sense for you.

Top Ways to Save on Your Auto Premium:

Consider raising your deductible.

Keep up your good driving record.

Drive less to qualify for a low-mileage discount.

Drive a car with safety features such as anti-lock brakes and airbags.

Install an anti-theft device.

Ask about our multi-policy discounts.

We’re Here to Help

Accidents happen to cautious drivers, too, and having adequate insurance can save you from serious financial burden should one happen to you.

We can help you determine which automobile insurance coverage is needed and what limits you should consider for your policy.

]]>Are You Prepared for a Home Break-in?https://www.sheafferins.com/are-you-prepared-for-a-home-break-in/
Tue, 23 Jan 2018 17:02:23 +0000http://www.sheafferins.com/are-you-prepared-for-a-home-break-in/While it may be difficult to imagine it happening to you, home break-ins are a common occurrence. If an intruder enters your home, your property and the well-being of your loved ones are at risk.

In order to protect your home and family from an intruder, consider doing the following:

Put an emergency plan in place and discuss it with everyone in your household.

Take any measure possible to let the intruder know someone is home and aware of his or her presence.

Do not assume the intruder is unarmed. He or she may be concealing a knife or gun and could produce it at a moment’s notice.

If you have something immediately available you can use for defense, grab it, even if it is just a scare tactic.

Remain vigilant. Take note of the intruder’s physical characteristics and provide the most accurate description possible to the police if he or she gets away.

In addition to the above, consider arming your home with a security system. A security system may seem expensive, but knowing your family and possessions are safe at all times may make it worth the cost.

]]>Remember Risk! Planning for Financial Stabilityhttps://www.sheafferins.com/remember-risk-planning-for-financial-stability/
Tue, 23 Jan 2018 16:55:47 +0000http://www.sheafferins.com/remember-risk-planning-for-financial-stability/Obtaining the peace of mind financial stability brings starts with reviewing your current financial resources. This is important because your financial resources affect not only your ability to reach your goals, but your ability to protect those goals from potential financial crises. These are the resources you will draw on to meet various life events.

Start by calculating your net worth—this isn’t as difficult as it might sound. Your net worth is simply the total value of what you own: your assets, minus what you owe (your liabilities). It’s a snapshot of your financial health.

First, add up the approximate value of all of your assets. This includes personal possessions, vehicles, homes, checking and savings accounts, and the cash value (not the death benefits) of any life insurance policies you may have. Include the current value of investments, such as stocks, real estate, certificates of deposit, retirement accounts, IRAs and the current value of any pensions you have.

Now add up your liabilities: the remaining mortgage on your home, credit card debt, student and personal loans taxes due on the profits of your investments if you cashed them in and any other outstanding bills. Subtract your liabilities from your assets. Do you have more assets than liabilities? Or the other way around? If so, don’t beat yourself up. According to Forbes Magazine, a person with no debt and $10 in his or her pocket has more wealth than 25 percent of Americans.

Your aim is to create a positive net worth, and you want it to grow each year. Your net worth is part of what you will draw on to pay for financial goals and your retirement. A strong net worth also will help you through financial crises. Review your net worth annually as a good way to monitor your financial health. Websites like Mint.com help you keep track of your income, expenses and net worth on a daily basis.

Identify other financial resources. You may have other financial resources that aren’t included in your net worth but that can help you through tough times. These include the death benefits of your life insurance policies, Social Security survivor’s benefits, health care coverage, disability insurance, liability insurance, and auto and home insurance. Although you may have to pay for some of these resources, they offer financial protection in case of illness, accidents or other catastrophes.

“Paul I. Sheaffer Agency Receives Prestigious Commercial Lines Agency of the Year Award from The Insurance Alliance of Central Pennsylvania for the Second Year in a Row”

HARRISBURG, PA On January 18, 2018, The Insurance Alliance of Central Pennsylvania presented Paul I. Sheaffer Agency with its Commercial Lines Agency of the Year Award in recognition of its outstanding growth in 2017. Jane Koppenheffer, President and CEO of The Insurance Alliance, presented the award as part of its 2017 Accelerations Sales Contest. The Insurance Alliance sponsored the 2017 Accelerations Sales Contest to challenge its sales staff from all its agencies.

“Paul I. Sheaffer Agency certainly earned this award in 2017. Our Accelerations contest measured average growth per commercial lines producer. Their success is driven by their reputation for service, combined with the insurance expertise of their staff and the breadth of insurance companies that they can offer clients.

The Insurance Alliance of Central Pennsylvania is a collective of 10 premier independent agencies located in the Central and greater Lehigh Valley regions of Pennsylvania. Through size, diversity and broad expertise, The Alliance offers on a regional level that which is normally found only with national brokers — ranking in 2017 as one of the top 20 agency partnerships in the nation and the 2nd largest in Pennsylvania.

The Paul I. Sheaffer Insurance Agency was founded in 1951 to serve the insurance needs of individuals and families with professionalism, dedication and trust. The agency has grown into a full service agency representing over 40 insurance companies and insuring more that 2,400 families and 1,000 businesses in the Lancaster County region.